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D-Tension takes alternative path on new CD

By Pete McQuaid, pmcquaid@lowellsun.com

Updated:
03/19/2014 09:50:34 AM EDT

D-Tension

D-Tension has always been a little off-kilter as a hip-hop artist. And his new album, a collection of alternative rock songs that evoke comparisons to Joy Division and New Order, might be his most surprising turn yet.

The album, D-Tension's Secret Project, features a different singer on each of its 11 synth pop tracks. D-Tension, a.k.a. Steve Perez from Lowell, will hold a CD release party at The Old Court in Lowell on Friday, March 28.

"I've always been the type to challenge myself," said Perez. "With alternative rock, I DJed at WFNX for 10 years, so I was always around that music and I loved it. And I said to myself, 'I could make this music.' "

Perez worked on the album for two years. He wrote the music himself and played every instrument on the album, from bass to drums to synthesizer. He then recorded the music at Lowell's The Space with the help of a different singer on each song. The 11 singers on the album are his friends from the indie rock scene in Boston, New York and Los Angeles. They include Aaron Perrino of Dear Leader, Jason Dunn of The Luxury, Kerri-Ann Richard and more.

All the singers will join Perez at the release party, where he and his six-man band will play all the songs from the album. He's been planning the show for six months to make sure he could get everybody there.

"You think it's hard to get them together for a show? Try to get them together for a rehearsal," said Perez.

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Doors open at 9 p.m. at The Old Court. Tickets are $10. For information on D-Tension, visit d-tension.com.

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